Durham County Detention Facility Visitation: GTL VisitMe and SmartInmate

Two Platforms, Two Schedules

This is the most important thing to understand before you plan your visit: Durham County Detention Facility uses two completely separate systems for visitation.

• GTL VisitMe handles in-person visits. Available Tuesday and Thursday evenings only. Register at durhamcountync.gtlvisitme.com/app.
• SmartInmate handles video visits. Available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Access from the lobby kiosk or from home.

These platforms have different accounts, different registration processes, and different schedules. Setting up one does not set up the other.

If you want to do an in-person visit on a Tuesday or Thursday, use GTL VisitMe. If you want to do a video visit any other day, use SmartInmate.

In-Person Visits Through GTL VisitMe

Visiting Hours and Pod Schedule

In-person visits are available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The exact time within that window depends on the person’s pod assignment.

Day	Hours	Pods
Tuesday	4:00 PM to 7:30 PM	Pods A and B
Thursday	4:00 PM to 7:30 PM	Pods C and D (except 3C North and South)

Hours can change without notice. Call (919) 560-0897 before you travel, especially around Durham County holidays. No in-person visits happen on Durham County holidays.

How to Register and Schedule

1. Go to durhamcountync.gtlvisitme.com/app.
2. Create a GTL VisitMe account with your real name and contact information.
3. Search for the person by name or inmate number.
4. Send a visitor connection request. The person inside must approve your request before you can schedule a visit.
5. Once approved, schedule your visit 2 to 7 days in advance.
6. You will receive a confirmation. Keep it.

You cannot walk in without a scheduled appointment. Visits are not first-come, first-served.

Arrival and Late Policy

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled visit time. If you arrive late without calling ahead, your visit will be cancelled and it will count as one of the person’s monthly visits.

If you are running late, call (919) 560-0897 as soon as possible to let staff know.

Visit Limits

Each inmate gets a maximum of 2 in-person visits per month. Each visit allows up to 3 visitors at once. Only 1 visit per day is allowed. If you cancel a visit fewer than 1 day in advance, it counts as a used visit.

ID Requirements

All visitors 18 and older must present a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include:

• State driver’s license or ID card
• U.S. passport or passport card
• U.S. military ID

Student IDs are also accepted for visitors 18 and older per the research data. Expired IDs are generally not accepted. If you have a question about a specific ID type, call (919) 560-0897 before making the trip.

Minors and Children

Minors may visit but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is 18 or older at all times. The adult accompanying the minor must be an approved visitor.

Dress Code

Wear modest, appropriate clothing. Detention facilities typically restrict clothing that resembles inmate attire (solid colors like orange or tan may be restricted), revealing clothing, or anything with offensive graphics. Call (919) 560-0897 to confirm current dress code requirements before your visit.

What to Expect at Check-In

Arrive early and go to the visitor check-in area. Staff will verify your ID and confirm your scheduled appointment. You may go through a security screening process. Leave personal items in your vehicle or in provided lockers. Do not bring your phone, food, or bags into the visitation area.

What Is Not Allowed

• Arriving without a confirmed GTL VisitMe appointment
• Visiting without an approved connection request
• More than 3 visitors per visit
• Visiting on Durham County holidays
• Giving or receiving anything from the person during the visit without prior staff approval

Video Visits Through SmartInmate

Video Visit Schedule

Video visits run on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There are no video visits on Tuesday or Thursday.

Day	Available Hours
Monday	9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Wednesday	9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Friday	9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saturday	9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Sunday	9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Lobby Kiosk vs. Remote from Home

Durham County has SmartInmate video kiosks in the detention center lobby. Visits at the lobby kiosk are free.

You can also do a remote video visit from your home computer, phone, or tablet through the SmartInmate website or app. Remote visits require payment and must be scheduled in advance through SmartInmate.

How to Set Up a SmartInmate Account

Go to the SmartInmate website and create an account. Search for Durham County Detention Facility. Once you are connected to the person, you can schedule video visits and manage your account. SmartInmate and GTL VisitMe are not the same service. You need a separate account for each.

Which Platform Should I Use?

Use this quick reference to pick the right option:

If you want to…	Use this
Visit in person on Tuesday or Thursday	GTL VisitMe
Do a video visit on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday	SmartInmate
Do a free video visit at the lobby kiosk	SmartInmate (no account needed at kiosk)
Do a video visit from home	SmartInmate (paid, account required)

Confirming Before You Travel

Before you drive to the facility, check the Durham County inmate search to confirm the person is still here. Transfers happen without notice. If they have been moved, the inmate search will show their new location or you can call (919) 560-0897.

Parking and Location

Durham County Detention Facility is at 219 South Mangum Street in downtown Durham. Street parking and public parking decks are available near the facility. Plan extra time to find parking before your scheduled visit, especially if you need to arrive 30 minutes early.

Special Circumstances

If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to pass through security screening or to participate in a standard visit, contact the facility at (919) 560-0897 before your visit to ask about accommodations.

For attorney visits, contact the facility directly to arrange scheduling outside of the standard visitor process.